The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version [Hardcover]

Published by Ligonier Ministries General Editor-R. C. Sproul (Author), R. C. Sproul (Editor), Keith Mathison (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2005

During the Reformation, a renewed interest in Scripture brought great light to the church and the world. In The Reformation Study Bible, general editor R. C. Sproul aims to present the light of the Reformation anew by combining an accessible translation with study notes that stand firmly in the theological tradition of the Reformation.

No other study Bible gives the reader more assistance in understanding the great doctrines and themes of the Christian faith as found in the Scriptures. Extensive notes have been researched and written by a team of more than fifty scholars, including J. I. Packer, James Boice, and Wayne Grudem.

All Christians that want to dig deeper in their study of Scripture will appreciate the bible’s many features, including section introductions, book introductions and outlines, comments on the biblical text, theological notes, charts, in-text maps, and cross-references.

The first study bible based on the English Standard Version, The Reformation Study Bible is the perfect choice for men and women that want to study God’s word in a language they can understand.

Features

- Thousands of study notes crucial to an in-depth study of biblical passages, verses, and words
- 96 notes on central doctrinal teachings of Scripture
- Introductions to the seven groups of biblical books, an introduction to the intertestamental period, and book introductions and outlines that detail the background, structure, and meaning of the biblical text
- Written by 48 scholars, including Sinclair Ferguson, Dennis Johnson, Simon Kistemaker, Willem VanGemeren, and Gordon Wenham.
- Edited by R. C. Sproul, assisted by Bruce Waltke (OT editor), Moises Silva (NT editor), James Boice, Edmund Clowney, and others.
- 19 in-text maps help readers follow Bible geography
- 12 charts aid visually oriented readers
- Center-column cross-references
- Concordance to the ESV

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a one-volume treasure trove for Christians looking for a truly helpful aid to serious Bible study. -- Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

A wonderful guide for anyone who desires to understand the great, historical doctrines of the church embedded in God's Word. -- Joni Eareckson Tada

I recommend The Reformation Study Bible for its combination of an accurate translation and high quality study notes. -- Dr. Vern S. Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

This is not a faddish study Bible. It will be around for a while—perhaps generations. -- Michael S. Horton, Westminster Seminary California

This is not a faddish study Bible.  It will be around for a while, perhaps generations.  -- Michael Horton, Professor of Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California

This is the gold standard for study Bibles, and I will be commending it to my congregation. -- Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

About the Author

R. C. Sproul (Drs., Free University of Amsterdam) is the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries, and host of the national daily radio program Renewing Your Mind. He has written more than fifty books, including The Holiness of God and The Invisible Hand.

Keith A. Mathison (Ph.D., Whitefield Theological Seminary) is director of curriculum development for Ligonier Ministries and assistant editor of Tabletalk magazine. He is the author of several books, including Given for You.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1948 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (February 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875526438
• ISBN-13: 978-0875526430
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.8 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 151 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gold Standard, March 5, 2005

By 

Tim Challies (Oakville, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Hardcover)

The Reformation Study Bible has long been the standard by which all other study Bibles are measured. Having it available in the English Standard Version, which many consider the best available English translation, simply raises the bar. With R.C. Sproul at the helm and the list of editors reading like a who's-who of Reformed theology, the reader can have confidence that he is in good hands with these notes. Among those who contributed are J. I. Packer, James Boice, Roger Nicole and Wayne Grudem. Philip Ryken spoke well when he said "this is the gold standard for study Bibles."

Perhaps the greatest feature of the study notes is that when they address a controversial subject, the authors provide the differing viewpoints but then point out which is most consistent with Reformed theology. In the past I have been continually dismayed to see how many study Bibles remain noncommital on the tough issues. Adding to the value of this book are the doctrinal notes which appear throughout the Bible. These notes address such difficult topics as justification, election and the nature of the church. All of these topics are addressed from a consistently Reformed worldview.

To summarize, if you are looking for a study Bible, you will not do better than this. It combines the scholarship and literary quality of the English Standard Version with the consistently Reformed perspectives of the study notes to make the best study Bible available today.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Study Bible; Great Features; Takes a Position, August 25, 2005

By 

Jacob Hantla "hantla.com" (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Hardcover)

The Reformation Study Bible is a goldmine of information, commentary, random observation, and quick reference. Before I added my two-cents'-worth to the review pile, I wanted to spend a number of weeks using it as a both a study tool and devotional aid. In order to facilitate this, I actually purchased the digital version from Nelson rather than the print version. My Bible study is primarily done within the Libronix Digital Library System, so this was the most useful format for me. Therefore, my comments relate to content and not presentation in the book format.

First off, I am glad that the Reformation Study Bible is offered with the ESV translation of the Bible based on both readability and a good attempt at being a translation that seeks to expose the underlying Greek text. This is my personal favorite translation, and I am happy with the large number of resources being quickly released to help me use this version.

My favorite feature of this study Bible is the short essays throughout called "Theological Notes." In my opinion this Bible is worth its purchase price for these notes alone. Let me give you a flavor of what they cover by listing some titles:
-The Image of God
-Body & Soul, Male & Female
-The Fall
-God's Covenant of Grace
-Infant Baptism
-The Baptism of Jesus
-The Unpardonable Sin
-The Transfiguration of Jesus
-Hell

Next, a very large number of in-text maps are provided which make for excellent resources. Since they are presented in the context of a certain passage of Scripture, they are much more useful than the maps often provided at the end of Bibles or in Bible Atlases. The editors' hard work is obvious in making the maps easy to use to understand the text with which they are presented. Great work here.

Many charts are also included which help get a birds-eye view of the text, especially when large amounts of information are presented throughout a number of chapters or when a logical progression of thought is particularly important or difficult to follow. The ones that are included are very useful, but I do wish that more charts had been created.

I have seen a number of negative reviews based on individual issues with which reviewers disagree with this Bible. I will say that I have come across a number comment with which I mildly disagree or would have wished had been stated differently (discussion of creation). And there are a few topics with which I greatly disagree (infant baptism). Nevertheless, the historical Reformed position is presented, and on controversial issues, the opposing positions are mentioned. This is not a downfall of the Bible, in fact, I think that it is a strength. Positions are offered and defended rather than simply presenting innocuous historical fact or some inoffensive application as many other study Bibles do. Nevertheless, for that reason, if I was looking for a Bible as a gift to a learning believer which I would agree with on a wider-breadth of issues I would choose the MacArthur Study Bible. But as a great study tool and a more in-depth Study Bible than MacArthur's I would go with the Reformation Study Bible.

http://www.hantla.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=71

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Distinctive Study Bible, August 24, 2005

By 

Nathan Hui "Nathan Hui" (ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Hardcover)

There are dozens of Study Bibles on Amazon's lists, each carrying distinctiveness. But some are more distinctive than others. The Reformation Study Bible is one of the some. If you expect colorful maps, detailed charts and exhaustive concordance, you would be disappointed. But if you are looking for a study bible with handy inspiring notes to guide you to understanding the Spirit-filled God's Word, this is the book!

I find The Reformation Study Bible very helpful and useful for devotional time and pastoral ministries.